ACWA Calls for Conservation Statewide in Response to Drought

Local Water Agencies Urged to Request Heightened Efforts by Customers

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 1, 2014) - With California mired in drought and little relief coming from recent storms, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is calling on water agencies throughout the state to request heightened water conservation from their customers in response to drought conditions.

ACWA's Board of Directors approved a resolution March 28 that recognizes the need for all Californians to do what they can to use water wisely to maximize supplies this year and protect water reserves in case drought conditions continue next year.

"California's public water agencies have been and must continue to be leaders in wise water management and water use efficiency," ACWA President John Coleman said. "Reducing water use has been standard practice in California for more than a decade, but given the severity of this drought and the impacts starting to be felt across the state's economy, it is imperative that all residents step up their conservation efforts now. Californians historically have responded to requests for conservation because it is the right thing to do. It is time once again for water agencies to make that ask."

In the wake of Gov. Jerry Brown's Jan. 17 drought emergency declaration and accompanying request for Californians to reduce water use, hundreds of local water agencies have implemented voluntary or mandatory conservation measures. Many others are waiting to assess water supply conditions in early April and will decide what action may be needed at that time. Manual readings of the state's snowpack today by the California Department of Water Resources are expected to confirm snow water content levels remain less than one-third of normal, despite a modest boost from recent storms.

Though many agencies have made significant local and regional investments in water storage, conservation, water recycling and other strategies that will allow them to manage drought conditions without major water supply restrictions, California nevertheless is in a statewide drought.

ACWA believes it is critical that all public water agencies -- whether severely impacted by drought shortages this year or not -- go on record recognizing the statewide drought and issue a formal call for heightened conservation now and over the coming summer months.

ACWA has mobilized to coordinate with several external groups on drought response and is serving as a drought information clearinghouse. The association also partners with the Department of Water Resources to educate consumers through the Save Our Water program.